Tamworth rejected as stockhorse HQ

Tamworth has been rejected as the new home for the Australian Stock Horse Society.

After six months of talks, the Australian Stock Horse Society board of directors has decided its head office will remain in Scone in the Upper Hunter.

General manager Catherine Smith says the uncertain economic climate was a major contributing factor.

"To move anywhere really is a long-term financial commitment and we just thought, at this stage, it's safer to stay where we are and consolidate what we have here," she said.

The society says its priority now is to boost the profile of the Australian Stock Horse and upgrade its facilities in the Upper Hunter.

The Mayor of Tamworth Regional Council, Col Murray, says he is disappointed the society has rejected Tamworth as its new home.

Last year, the society paid Tamworth Regional Council $10,000 for an option on two blocks of land near the equine centre.

At the time, it gave strong indications it was ready to leave its home in Scone, where it has been headquartered since 1971, to come to Tamworth to join other recreational horse associations.

Col Murray says every organisation makes its own commercial decisions.

"The decision of most of these associations is always driven from the members and we have no option but to respect that decision - they've obviously thought about it and taken it with that influence in mind," he said.

"I'd have to say we're a little disappointed but we'll get over that because there's plenty of other interest in the land there."